Search - Gustav Holst, Gyorgi Ligeti, William Steinberg :: Holst: The Planets; Ligeti: Lux Aeterna

Come for the Holst, stay for the Ligeti

Wyote | Seoul | 05/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Normal people buying a famous piece of classical music generally just wonder which one to get. Unless you're a big fan, you probably only need one version of Holst's "The Planets," and your issue probably is, which one?



I would go with this one, but admittedly not for any very good reason. It seems the experts - I am not one - prefer other recordings of "The Planets." Now as for me, this one is good enough. I can't find anything at all wrong with it.



The reason I would go with this one is Ligeti's "Lux Aeturna." That is frankly one of the most amazing pieces of a capella music I know of, and it fits perfectly after Holst's "The Planets," taking the mood of the last piece of the Planets, "Neptune, the Mystic," a full step further, and a very impressive step further. A very nice way to conclude the recording. (Considerably better than Strauss' "Thus Spake Zarathustra," I think all people who give it a moment's thought will agree. Get a version of "Thus Spake Zarathustra." But don't listen to it right after "The Planets." Who came up with that pairing? - Actually I suspect I know the answer: a marketing executive trying to tap into the sci fi market.)



As for "The Planets," whichever recording you choose to get, it is definitely a piece of classcial music that normal people can appreciate without effort. As soon as it begins, for instance, you can hear its influence on film scores such as John Williams' for "Star Wars" and - one of my favorites: Bram Stoker's Dracula and Other Film Music by Wojciech Kilar. That kind of stuff is fun. But probably more importantly, the music is emotionally straightforward and satisfying (nothing like Bach or Stravinsky). People who are familiar with classical music will recognize it instantly, people who aren't familiar with classical music have probably never heard it. And actually, the latter will probably enjoy it more than the former.



So, get some version of "The Planets," and since this one has Ligeti's "Lux Aeterna" I recommend this one."